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GEO3/5: GEOGRAPHY PAPER 3 UGANDA: Rainfall in Uganda

Rainfall refers to tiny droplets falling on the earth’s surface from the atmosphere under the influence of gravity.

RAINFALL PATTERNS IN UGANDA

Rainfall refers to tiny droplets falling on the earth’s surface from the atmosphere under the influence of gravity. There are mainly two rainfall types received in Uganda i.e.

Relief or orographic rainfall characterized in mountainous or hilly areas of Uganda like Rwenzori.

Convectional rainfall commonly received in areas of water bodies of Victoria and Kyoga and dense forests like Mabira and Kalangala forests.

RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN UGANDA

The rainfall received in Uganda is generally grouped as;

Rainfall above 2000mm experienced in equatorial climatic regions like on L. Victoria crescent.

Rainfall ranging between 1500mm-2000mm (heavy) experienced in modified climatic regions of Uganda.

Rainfall ranging from 1000mm-1500mm (medium) experienced in tropical climatic regions like in northern Uganda.

Rainfall ranging between 750mm-1000mm (low) experienced in semi-arid climatic regions like in Lyantonde, Kiruhura, Lwengo, etc.

Rainfall ranging below 750mm per annum experienced in dry climatic regions like in Karamoja districts of Kaabong, Kotido Kitgum, etc

THE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL IN UGANDA

FACTORS FOR THE VARIATION IN RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN UGANDA

  • Relief, in mountainous areas like Rwennzori in Kabarole, Bundibugyo receive heavy rainfall of about 1500mm per annum. This is because mountains block moist winds on the wind ward sides which rise, condense and form rainfall.
  • The areas with dense forests like Mabira in Buikwe receive heavy rainfall due to high evapotranspiration levels resulting into convectional rainfall.
  • Areas near large water bodies like the shores of L. Victoria in Kampala, Wakiso, receive heavy rainfall over 1500mm per annum due to lake and land breezes.
  • Latitudinal influence/I.T .C.Z, this is a low pressure belt where various winds meet resulting into heavey thunder stoms and rainfall around lake Victoria region in districts of kamuli, Iganga Kampala where heavy rainfall of about 1500mm p.a is received.
  • Wind system, the northeast trade winds bring dry conditions because they originate from the dry desert. This has resulted into dry conditions (less than 750mm) in kotido and moroto. The south east trade winds from the Indian ocean carry moist winds which they drop on the slopes of mountain Elgon resulting into heavy rainfall(1500mm) in sironko and Manafwa.
  • Destruction of vegetation cover, in areas where vegetation has been destroyed the rainfall amounts have reduced eg Nakasongola with less than 750mm pa.
  • Afforestation and re-afforestation in areas where trees have been planted the rainfall amounts have been increased such as Kabale(mafuga forest), bugamba in Mbarara etc.
  • Swamp drainage / reclamation in areas where swamps have been reclaimed.The rainfall amounts have been reduced because of evaporation e.g in Kumi, Soroti, Bugiri etc.
  • Mam made lakes/ valleys dams/ ponds, when these are constructed they increase on evaporation levels and therefore results into increased rainfall amounts such as kibimba.
  • Government policy of conservation

Assignment

Rainfall in Uganda

ASSIGNMENT : Rainfall in Uganda MARKS : 50  DURATION : 1 week, 3 days

 

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